Bifunctional Polyazamacrocyclic Complexes for Radiopharmaceutical Applications

The positron emission of gallium-68 can be utilised in radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging via positron emission tomography (PET). A vital component of radiopharmaceuticals is the bifunctional chelator, which is used to securely bind radiometal ions to ensure proper delivery of the radioactive dose to the area of interest in vivo. Macrocyclic bifunctional chelating ligands based on the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN) scaffold, and incorporating phosphonate and carboxylate pendant arms, possess the potential to coordinate the clinically-relevant radiometal ion, gallium-68. This thesis focuses on the development of novel bifunctional chelating ligands that possess ideal properties for gallium-68 radiopharmaceuticals – mild, near neutral pH radiolabelling at room temperature within 10 min.